Incident Triggers Safety Curbs and Wildlife Relocation Efforts
A tragic and rare tiger attack claimed the life of an Arunachal Pradesh Police head constable in Lower Dibang Valley district on Monday. The victim, Chikseng Manpang, served as a radio operator with the state police.
Officials said Manpang was riding his motorcycle back from Anini in Dibang Valley when a tiger attacked him near Mayudia. The area lies along a forested mountain road that has recently recorded several tiger sightings. Fatal tiger attacks remain uncommon in this region, which has heightened concern among authorities.
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Police and Forest Teams Respond Swiftly
Soon after receiving information, police and forest department teams rushed to the site. They secured the area and began an assessment of wildlife movement along the route.
Officials confirmed that the attack occurred on a vulnerable stretch of road that passes through dense forest. Repeated tiger movement near the highway had already raised safety concerns among local authorities.
Authorities Ban Two-Wheelers on Affected Route
Superintendent of Police Manish Saurya said authorities imposed an immediate ban on two-wheeler movement along the Mayudia route. The district administration took the decision in coordination with the forest department.
SP Saurya said officials acted after multiple reports of tiger sightings in the area. He added that the restriction aims to reduce risk to commuters until authorities stabilise the situation.
Mayudia attracts tourists during winter due to snowfall and scenic views. However, officials said public safety would remain the top priority until wildlife threats subside.
Tigress and Cubs Seen Near Road at Night
Divisional Forest Officer of Roing, Mito Rumi, confirmed recent sightings of a tigress with three sub-adult cubs near the road. According to him, forest teams observed the animals mostly during night hours over the past few days.
The presence of cubs likely increased defensive behaviour by the tigress. Wildlife experts believe this may have led to the fatal encounter.
To address the threat, the forest department has deployed expert teams from Itanagar and three other tiger reserves in the state. These teams carry specialised equipment to track and relocate the animals to safer forest zones away from human activity.
Chief Minister Expresses Grief
Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed deep sorrow over the death of the police personnel. He said the incident had deeply saddened the state.
In a message, the Chief Minister extended condolences to the bereaved family. He also acknowledged the risks faced by uniformed personnel even while travelling off duty.
Deputy CM Calls for Immediate Action
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also conveyed his condolences. He described the death of the head constable as a major loss to both the family and the Arunachal Pradesh Police.
Manpang hailed from Manfaiseng village in Namsai district. Mein urged wildlife authorities to act swiftly and relocate the tigers to prevent further loss of life. He stressed the need to balance wildlife conservation with human safety.
Focus on Preventing Human-Wildlife Conflict
Forest officials said they have increased patrolling and night surveillance in the area. They also plan to issue advisories for travellers and nearby residents.
Although Arunachal Pradesh hosts rich wildlife, deadly human-tiger conflicts rarely occur. Officials said the incident highlights the growing challenge of managing wildlife near roads and tourist routes.
Authorities have assured strict monitoring of the affected area until they complete the relocation process. They also urged people to follow travel restrictions and avoid forest routes at night.
The death of Head Constable Chikseng Manpang has once again drawn attention to the urgent need for coordinated action between police, forest officials, and local administration in wildlife-sensitive zones.
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